PS: How old is a wood handled kettle?

[Harry]

Just curious about how old a wood handled kettle might be. It has a "J" stamped into the top vent damper.

Aside from the wood handles, were the old kettles made any differently or have any special appeal?

Thanks...

Harry

 

[Dennis Haner]

That is a 1987 model

 

[Jim Lampe]

Harry, the older models had three bottom vents (instead of the "One-Touch" system).
Grilles with the "three-wheeler" venting systems makes converting a "regular" grille into a nice "smoker grille" by closing two of the 3 vents, utilizing only one open vent directly below charcoal piled to one side (an indirect method).